Thank you for “getting” this band. They are unique & wonderful. PLEASE treat yourself to a live/concert song. THIS song is mind blowing from the ZooTV tour Sydney, AU- 1993. Check it out on your own…watch the whole concert to really see how much more intense their songs are LIVE! They are a LIVE band. The best. And ZooTV tour was brilliant!
This song changed The Edge's life.. he started dating Morleigh Steinberg during the Zoo TV tour in 1993.. she was the dancer they had on stage during the show for this song. They married in 2002.
Bono has always called their process “songwriting by accident.” Edge is always recording little melodic fragments on his phone… but they basically get together, jam on whatever fragments Edge or Bono has come up with and record everything for hours. During this process, Bono will sing Gibberish over the music to try and find where the melody is within the music.Then they go back, listen to it all and start to figure out which of those fragments have potential. Other times they’ll have “the spirit enter the room” and a song comes together very quickly, like what happened with One. But it’s always done together, and the last part of any song will be the lyrics. The lyrics will be dictated by the emotional tenor of the music, so it all has a distinct feel. The most interesting part of this is that Bono has said on many occasions that they just play and “wait for the spirit of music to come and visit them.” That they are just a vehicle, the music is the special thing (not the musician) and the songs aren’t theirs… the minute they have been put out into public, they belong to the listener. One of the most hilarious things I’ve heard him say when asked about U2’s creative process is “we don’t really know what we’re doing…. And when we do, it doesn’t seem to help.”
@@TheAntonNetwork One is the song that saved them. After the Rattle and Hum disaster (they meant the album as an exploration of American music as fans themselves; critics took it as them “putting themselves in the pantheon prematurely”) and the long Lovetown Tour that was an extension of the Joshua Tree Tour, they were burned out and needed a change. They played a show in Dublin on 12/31/89 where Bono told the crowd this was the end of something for U2, and they needed to go away and dream it all up again. Over 1990, Edge and Bono were working on a new direction for the band, Larry took drum lessons and Adam didn’t do much. There wasn’t much communication from Bono and Edge to the others, so Adam and Larry didn’t know what this new direction was going to be. Adam felt a little lost and abandoned. When they hooked back up, Bono and Edge had a new direction but it was so starkly different Adam and Larry weren’t sure it was the right move. But they had already booked time at Hansa Studios in East Berlin to record a new album. They flew in on the last-ever flight into East Germany as the Berlin Wall fell, thinking the greatness of that studio and the spirit of the reunification of Germany would be a great inspiration. Instead, the weather was miserable, the hotel they lived in was miserable and half the band didn’t understand what they were trying to do, so nothing was happening. For weeks, they recorded, listened back and didn’t like anything. Plus, with the crappy conditions outside the studio and the fact that Edge’s marriage was splitting up, they were starting to argue with each other and beginning to wonder if maybe the band was over. They were working on a piece that would eventually become Mysterious Ways and told Edge they needed a bridge. He came up with two choices and played them… they liked both and told him to play them again, one into the other. They started playing, everyone fell in and One came out in 15 minutes. While the lyrics touch on all kinds of relationships and baggage people put on each other within them, the underlying subject was the four of them. “We’re one, but we’re not the same. We get to carry each other” was all about them. There is an incredible documentary about the making of Achtung Baby called From the Sky Down. It’s available in full on UA-cam. Probably way too long to do a reaction video, but highly worth watching.
You need to watch this live from Sydney.... On the Zoo Tv Tour.. its on another level and there are some other fantastic tunes too.. and a little thing happend at that gig too :)
They owe a lot of their image and vibe to Dutch photographer and film director Anton Corbijn, particularly in these prime years. He took many of their most iconic photos and guided their art direction/videos. Not an easy feat to do with 4 rough and tumble Irish lads but he pulled it off. I mean, look at this video with the oversaturated colors, camera effects, etc - not to mention Bono wearing brown leather pants and a hot pink frilly pirate shirt while smoking in a Moroccan alleyway... and looking cool af while doing it. That's all Anton and it was just so unique back in '91 when the world was on the cusp of grunge flannel and doc martins. Achtung Baby! has stood the test of time; the songs are just very, very strong from start to finish.
Corbijn didn't direct this video but he did shoot photos of the band in Morroco where they recorded the video. His video contribution to Achtung Baby was his version of One.
That’s right. He is. Glad people are seeing the genius of this man. He is my heart. 30 year fan here. No psychedelics for any members except maybe Adam Clayton. The belly dancer is edges wife.
Hey, you’re back! Nice to see you, I hope you’re doing well! One sweet fact, The Edge married the belly dancer and they’re happily married ever since. I’m looking forward to more U2 reactions from you. I’m really sorry I can’t do more than to subscribe to your channel
I told you in the past, U2 is for me more than just a band, their music literally guides me through my life every single day and I don’t think I would be able to fight through my depression without my love for their music, especially their lyrics
I remember reading that when bono sings she moves in mysterious ways, he’s talking about the Holy Spirit, and the Johnny referred to in the song is John the Baptist. It’s an interesting interpretation for such a catchy song, and it makes sense when you consider how religious / spiritual the band is and that many of their songs can be interpreted through that lens. But then again this song could just as easily be about a girl. It’s pretty cool.
@@meganclick6002 Yes. That is precisely the point I was making. "Johnny" = John the Baptist. "She" (The Holy Spirit) will be there when you it the ground"
@chriseckert613 Oh, I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that the holy spirit interpretation was the boring interpretation of the song. Sorry!
It's amazing how long they've been around and successful. They were only 29/30 years old when they recorded this album over 30 years ago and by that point over a decade into their career! If you really want to dive deep into Bono's lyrics, one of their greatest songs and often confused about what the lyrics really mean is "One". It's played all the time at Weddings and Bono's been on record saying that it's probably the worst song for a wedding!
@@mike2404 They were the biggest band in the world for years and years...and still in the top 5. But why?? Their music is okay, but nothing special. The Edge is a sub par guitarist with only one trick in the bag: Delay. And Bono is not the 'Jesus' that many people think he is. He's just a singer in an ordinary band. Anyway, just my opinion. But hey, that's what we're here for, or...?
We like what we like right? It just so happens a lot of people like U2 (I'm one of them). They have great songwriting, generally poetic lyrics, a unique sound, and charisma. Doesn't mean they are the best band ever, and I have bands I enjoy more than them, but all in all they are great at what they do.
@@TheAntonNetwork Agreed. It seems fashionable to hate U2. You can rag on the Edge's use of delay. You can rag on Bono's preachiness. But Sold-out stadiums over decades seem to contradict that they're overrated.
Thank you for “getting” this band. They are unique & wonderful. PLEASE treat yourself to a live/concert song. THIS song is mind blowing from the ZooTV tour Sydney, AU- 1993. Check it out on your own…watch the whole concert to really see how much more intense their songs are LIVE! They are a LIVE band. The best. And ZooTV tour was brilliant!
This song changed The Edge's life.. he started dating Morleigh Steinberg during the Zoo TV tour in 1993.. she was the dancer they had on stage during the show for this song. They married in 2002.
Indeed the cool factor here is timeless!
What a throw back. Dont think i have heard this since it came out😊
One of my favourite live concerts from them is under a blood red sky. There’s a whole movie along with the album.
Bono has always called their process “songwriting by accident.” Edge is always recording little melodic fragments on his phone… but they basically get together, jam on whatever fragments Edge or Bono has come up with and record everything for hours. During this process, Bono will sing Gibberish over the music to try and find where the melody is within the music.Then they go back, listen to it all and start to figure out which of those fragments have potential. Other times they’ll have “the spirit enter the room” and a song comes together very quickly, like what happened with One. But it’s always done together, and the last part of any song will be the lyrics. The lyrics will be dictated by the emotional tenor of the music, so it all has a distinct feel. The most interesting part of this is that Bono has said on many occasions that they just play and “wait for the spirit of music to come and visit them.” That they are just a vehicle, the music is the special thing (not the musician) and the songs aren’t theirs… the minute they have been put out into public, they belong to the listener. One of the most hilarious things I’ve heard him say when asked about U2’s creative process is “we don’t really know what we’re doing…. And when we do, it doesn’t seem to help.”
amazing. theyre my favourite band. edge said that they keep trying to play the same song, just that every single time, it comes out different
Interesting, and it just so happens that one is my favorite song by them. That song is a masterpiece.
@@TheAntonNetwork One is the song that saved them. After the Rattle and Hum disaster (they meant the album as an exploration of American music as fans themselves; critics took it as them “putting themselves in the pantheon prematurely”) and the long Lovetown Tour that was an extension of the Joshua Tree Tour, they were burned out and needed a change. They played a show in Dublin on 12/31/89 where Bono told the crowd this was the end of something for U2, and they needed to go away and dream it all up again.
Over 1990, Edge and Bono were working on a new direction for the band, Larry took drum lessons and Adam didn’t do much. There wasn’t much communication from Bono and Edge to the others, so Adam and Larry didn’t know what this new direction was going to be. Adam felt a little lost and abandoned.
When they hooked back up, Bono and Edge had a new direction but it was so starkly different Adam and Larry weren’t sure it was the right move. But they had already booked time at Hansa Studios in East Berlin to record a new album. They flew in on the last-ever flight into East Germany as the Berlin Wall fell, thinking the greatness of that studio and the spirit of the reunification of Germany would be a great inspiration. Instead, the weather was miserable, the hotel they lived in was miserable and half the band didn’t understand what they were trying to do, so nothing was happening. For weeks, they recorded, listened back and didn’t like anything. Plus, with the crappy conditions outside the studio and the fact that Edge’s marriage was splitting up, they were starting to argue with each other and beginning to wonder if maybe the band was over.
They were working on a piece that would eventually become Mysterious Ways and told Edge they needed a bridge. He came up with two choices and played them… they liked both and told him to play them again, one into the other. They started playing, everyone fell in and One came out in 15 minutes. While the lyrics touch on all kinds of relationships and baggage people put on each other within them, the underlying subject was the four of them. “We’re one, but we’re not the same. We get to carry each other” was all about them.
There is an incredible documentary about the making of Achtung Baby called From the Sky Down. It’s available in full on UA-cam. Probably way too long to do a reaction video, but highly worth watching.
@@KevinBraun-h5w That's beautiful, thanks for sharing that Kevin.
You need to watch this live from Sydney.... On the Zoo Tv Tour.. its on another level and there are some other fantastic tunes too.. and a little thing happend at that gig too :)
I havent heard the words “U2 is so cool in 30 years” but they were indeed the pinnacle of cool at this point …
They owe a lot of their image and vibe to Dutch photographer and film director Anton Corbijn, particularly in these prime years. He took many of their most iconic photos and guided their art direction/videos. Not an easy feat to do with 4 rough and tumble Irish lads but he pulled it off. I mean, look at this video with the oversaturated colors, camera effects, etc - not to mention Bono wearing brown leather pants and a hot pink frilly pirate shirt while smoking in a Moroccan alleyway... and looking cool af while doing it. That's all Anton and it was just so unique back in '91 when the world was on the cusp of grunge flannel and doc martins. Achtung Baby! has stood the test of time; the songs are just very, very strong from start to finish.
Thanks for the info bro, this video was exceptionally well done.
Corbijn didn't direct this video but he did shoot photos of the band in Morroco where they recorded the video.
His video contribution to Achtung Baby was his version of One.
I agree with you 🔥
That’s right. He is. Glad people are seeing the genius of this man. He is my heart. 30 year fan here. No psychedelics for any members except maybe Adam Clayton. The belly dancer is edges wife.
Hey, you’re back! Nice to see you, I hope you’re doing well! One sweet fact, The Edge married the belly dancer and they’re happily married ever since.
I’m looking forward to more U2 reactions from you. I’m really sorry I can’t do more than to subscribe to your channel
I told you in the past, U2 is for me more than just a band, their music literally guides me through my life every single day and I don’t think I would be able to fight through my depression without my love for their music, especially their lyrics
All good Nelly, I don't expect anyone to support the channel monetarily :)
And I love your U2 love!
Zoo Tour 10-21-1992, Denver's Mile High Stadium. One of my top 5 Best. Concerts. EVER!
Me too! Jack Murphy Stadium San Diego. 17 years old and it changed my life. This is a desert island disc.
@@benjammin7729 I'm so glad you got to experience it!
My fav was zoo tv was march 92 charlotte nc. I’ve seen them 9 times including the sphere but nothing beats the zoo tv tour. Wow just wow!
@@Lenyxx3 I only got to see them that one time, but I will never forget it! One of the best nights of my life :-)
I remember reading that when bono sings she moves in mysterious ways, he’s talking about the Holy Spirit, and the Johnny referred to in the song is John the Baptist. It’s an interesting interpretation for such a catchy song, and it makes sense when you consider how religious / spiritual the band is and that many of their songs can be interpreted through that lens. But then again this song could just as easily be about a girl. It’s pretty cool.
It's not just an interesting interpretation. We're told that the song is inspired by the Oscar Wilde play, Salome.
@chriseckert613 Er..Salome is about John the Baptist and his beheading...
@@meganclick6002 Yes. That is precisely the point I was making. "Johnny" = John the Baptist. "She" (The Holy Spirit) will be there when you it the ground"
@chriseckert613 Oh, I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that the holy spirit interpretation was the boring interpretation of the song. Sorry!
The live version in sidney is insane
It's amazing how long they've been around and successful. They were only 29/30 years old when they recorded this album over 30 years ago and by that point over a decade into their career! If you really want to dive deep into Bono's lyrics, one of their greatest songs and often confused about what the lyrics really mean is "One". It's played all the time at Weddings and Bono's been on record saying that it's probably the worst song for a wedding!
If you’re into U2 (and want to react to some of their best work) you gotta check out Bad from The Unforgettable Fire album 🔥🔥
Great. I love geeking out with other fans. The song unforgettable fire is one of my favs. My most fav is until the end of the world.
React to Bad next!
My favourite song!! Bad is quintessential U2 ❤
U2 was the biggest band on earth in the 90's. Forget Oasis Nirvana or Metallica. U2 was the biggest band. Shaped the 90's
If you wear that velvet dress- POP - very romantic.
Ashtung ))))))))))))))))))))))))
sounds like Ack not Atch. Ack tung baby
Lyrical analysis?
He does a fine job evaluating the vibe in general followed by a look at the lyrics.
Watch till the end, I reflect on the lyrics there.
U2 is the world's most overrated band. Ever.
Explain?
Hardly
@@mike2404 They were the biggest band in the world for years and years...and still in the top 5. But why?? Their music is okay, but nothing special. The Edge is a sub par guitarist with only one trick in the bag: Delay. And Bono is not the 'Jesus' that many people think he is. He's just a singer in an ordinary band.
Anyway, just my opinion. But hey, that's what we're here for, or...?
We like what we like right? It just so happens a lot of people like U2 (I'm one of them). They have great songwriting, generally poetic lyrics, a unique sound, and charisma. Doesn't mean they are the best band ever, and I have bands I enjoy more than them, but all in all they are great at what they do.
@@TheAntonNetwork Agreed. It seems fashionable to hate U2. You can rag on the Edge's use of delay. You can rag on Bono's preachiness.
But Sold-out stadiums over decades seem to contradict that they're overrated.